The Denver Broncos finally got a little spark from Jaylen Waddle in their win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and that alone made the night feel different.
Waddle’s touchdown came on a 1-yard throw from Bo Nix on fourth-and-goal, and Nix said Waddle was calling for the ball. Waddle then broke out the shuffle/waddle celebration he made famous with the Miami Dolphins, and a few fans in the crowd even copied it.
That kind of moment has been rare this season. With the year nearing the halfway point, Waddle has been one of the Broncos’ biggest letdowns so far. But there were at least a couple of signs against Kansas City that something might be starting to turn.
He also hauled in a key pass on a late two-point conversion, which was enough for Sean Payton to keep the message short when asked about his receiver: “Let’s keep going.”
The numbers explain why that answer matters. As Nick Kosmider of The Athletic noted, Waddle has 29 catches for 315 yards, production that sits among his lowest through eight games and mirrors similar output from 2024 over the same stretch. His 10.9 yards per catch is also his lowest at this point since his rookie season.
Denver has kept trying to unlock him. Waddle’s best game came in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he went for 138 receiving yards.
Since then, though, the frustration has been visible. In a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, he finished with only two catches for 19 yards and was seen shaking his head as he left the field.
Still, the last two games have offered a bit more encouragement. Against Arizona, Waddle finished with four catches for 48 yards, and both of his recent short touchdown grabs have mattered.
He’s not the only issue on offense. The Broncos as a whole are still searching for rhythm, and Nix and company haven’t been able to sustain it for long stretches, let alone for a full game.
For now, Denver is leaning on a 6-2 record and a defense that continues to carry the load. The Broncos are also still moving Waddle around in different formations, and with several weaker opponents on the schedule, there’s at least a chance the offense - and Waddle with it - can keep building.
In Other News...
Broncos Suddenly Have A Big Defensive Question Before Sunday
Talanoa Hufangas return to practice offered the Broncos a timely bit of relief this week, even if it came in a limited role. The starting safety had been sidelined since his Week 5 ankle injury, forcing Denver to lean on backup safeties for three games while the secondary adjusted on the fly.
His presence back on the field at least opens the door for Sundays matchup with the Carolina Panthers, where Denver would love to have one of its key defensive pieces available again. The timing matters, too, because the Broncos are still waiting to see whether Hufanga can do enough in the coming days to move from practice participation to game readiness. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Secondary Suddenly Faces A Big Week 9 Concern
Denvers secondary is dealing with a late-week injury squeeze heading into Week 9, with starting safety Brandon Jones, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine all missing practice for a second straight day. That leaves the Broncos with a little less certainty than theyd like against Carolina, especially in a matchup where the back end of the defense could be tested if the injury report continues to grow.
There is at least a bit of relief on the horizon with Talanoa Hufanga moving to limited participation and putting himself in line to return after a three-game absence. The Panthers have their own health questions, with five players sitting out practice, but quarterback Bryce Young was a full participant and is expected to play, so Denver may need to navigate this one without much help from Carolinas injury list. [Read more 🡒]
Bo Nix Is Suddenly Tied To Denvers Biggest Trade Decision
Bo Nixs play has become part of a bigger Broncos conversation, and not just because his recent stretch has shown real improvement. NFL insiders James Palmer and Cecil Lammey said the young quarterback is trending in the right direction, though they stopped short of calling it a leap past where he was a year ago. For Denver, that matters because the front office has to decide whether this is the kind of quarterback growth that justifies more aggressive roster building around him.
George Patons approach has been described as cautious, with the Broncos unlikely to swing big unless they feel confident about where Nix is headed. Palmer and Lammey pointed to how other teams have made bold moves when they believed in their quarterback situation, and a win over Kansas City could sharpen that debate even more. If Denver keeps climbing, the trade market may suddenly look a lot more interesting, and the Broncos will have to decide how far they want to go. [Read more 🡒]